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Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Summer is winding down but if you still have plans for the beach, I have a great beach read recommendation if you're looking for something light and fun - I Love You, Beth Cooper. It begins at graduation where socially-challenged, debate team captain, valedictorian Denis Cooverman is giving his speech. Egged on by his best (only) friend, Rich Munsch, Denis decides to use this very public opportunity to declare his love for the head cheerleader, Beth Cooper. That proclamation sets off a hilarious chain of events involving Denis, Rich, Beth, and Kevin, Beth's homicidal and very jealous boyfriend who is on furlough from the United States Army. Hijinks ensue.

The author, Larry Doyle, is a former writer for The Simpsons, so you know it's going to be funny. In fact, I have just one warning based on personal experience: Be careful about reading the book in public places because the regular outbursts of laughter will get you strange looks. To put it in recent movie terms it reads something like a cousin to last summer's Superbad, so it's not surprising that Fox Atomic is making a film version starring Hayden Panettiere of Heroes as the titular Beth Cooper for release in 2009.